Campobello's Memories of the Revolution: Cartucho

 Campobello tells stories of the revolution from a child's perspective. In this way, Campobello can capture the memories for what they are, not judged or changed by maturity or politics. I enjoyed reading this book because I could find overarching themes between the stories of death, play, and war. Although this book was out of order sometimes, it forced me to think back to previous pages I had read and compare how the two stories were told. 

I wanted to touch on a few things from the lecture and quotes that made me think about these above themes. 

First off, the contradiction and play between cause and effect. In history, things happen in a time, place and in order. A cause always has an effect that follows. Campobello writes her story in Memory, not history. In Memory, we are emersed in it, there is no clear beginning, and sometimes things are fuzzy. Campobello's child's point of view focuses on what sticks in her mind and what is essential and has an effect on her. While reading, I noticed a couple times where characters from before appeared on pages later, even after they were executed. This reminded me of Memory and how it is distorted and not driven by time and history. 

The young girl's Memory also plays in language by altering the meaning of things to make a dramatic effect. For example, after reading this quote: "He embraced the bullets and held on to them" (66). I pictured a brave soldier, dying not in fear but accepting his death and being proud of his accomplishments. Even though the bullets come from the gun, not drawn from the body. Although we see children as immature and innocent, their perspectives allow us to see the world for what it is. 

The continuous theme of war and play was evident throughout Campobello's memories. Children play, and they learn through play at young ages. As Campobello's memories are framed in a young girl's mindset, she has not yet been affected by fears or grief. As she watches the men, shouting and laughing on their horseback, shooting targets and singing when they hit one, she sees it as a game. When you picture it like that, war does seem like a game, just like modern-day video games are about war and teaming up and shooting targets. 

"They seemed to be playing on horseback, riding across the plazas, up to the hills, shouting and laughing. Those who witnessed the uprising say it didn't look like one." (81) 

The adults were playing games too. 

"When he wanted to have fun, he practiced target shooting at the hats of men who walked by on the street. He never killed anybody. He was just playing, and no one got angry with him." (7)

And as adults are role models, the girls were eager to watch their games. 

"We girls were eager to see the men fall. [. . .] my sister and I climbed up to peer out of a window, our eyes wide in anticipation. Looking around, we didn't see a single body, which we really regretted." (28)

Although seeing the girls indulge in the adult's sick games was unsettling, it is crucial because it shows what war is all about. Campobello's stories and Memory play an essential role in telling the stories of brave men who fought in the revolution that was overshadowed by generals and other cities. It also reminds us that we are biased and must let go, be free, and sometimes play like a child. When we are wrapped up in our politics, beliefs, and judgements, we lose our view of innocence and see and appreciate the world and everything around us for what it is. 

This book reminded me of my own Memory and childhood memories. 

(History: cause/effect vs. Memory: affect)

 Have you revisited a childhood memory and felt differently about it now that you are older? Or Have you noticed that the order of your memories differs from someone else' same Memory?